Mysterious smell closes Hackney road

A mysterious smell led to the closure of a south Hackney road for two hours last Thursday (May 3).

Police were called to reports of a “strong chemical smell” in Victoria Park Road, just after 12.30pm.

“There was no conclusive explanation, but it was thought it could be acetone from a local nail shop or varnish from the refurbishment at the Lauriston public house, or a combination of both,” said a police spokeswoman.